WHERE CAN I BUY A GIFT BAG IN THIS TOWN?

I attended a birthday party at the Knights of Columbus Hall last Saturday. Someone at the party had forgotten to purchase a gift bag and could not leave the party. She asked me to run this errand for her.

I started down Main St. toward downtown thinking it would be a quick trip. Why everybody sells wrapping paper and gift bags, right? Wrong. As I drove down Main St. and then State St. it occurred to me that we don't have a drug store or a card shop downtown at all. I ended up driving to the Dollar Tree for my purchase.

After returning to the party I had a discussion with another lifetime New Albany resident about the stores which we shopped in as children and young adults. We recalled W.T. Grant, Woolworth, Wallgreens, The Fashion Shop, The Joy Shop, even the Dollar General Store.

We need a "big box" store or at least a grocery store downtown. I'm not saying we need to put a Walmart on Pearl St. but we need some sort of store where a downtown resident could walk to for the purchase of an aspirin or a gallon of milk, or even a gift bag. We want people to live downtown and be able to walk to a store or restaurant. Many people are taking the risk to open a new business and I applaud them. But will someone or group of partners with means please open a "general store" where people can purchase the basic items for day to day use. The specialty stores are great but sometimes we just need a gift bag.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 2/18/10

We had a long and not very productive meeting last night and I will give a brief outline. My report will not be nearly as detailed as Mr. Baylor's.

There is a new format for the agenda. The public officials now speak before the general public. Mr. Carl Malysz spoke first in the Mayor's place:

He had a note from the Mayor which asked that two of the agenda items be tabled. A-09-22 the $2,000,000 for the police and fire depts. from EDIT and G-10-02, the full time attorney for the council. Mr. Ceasar was the sponsor and he complied with the Mayor's wishes.

Mr. Malysz went on to address the comments made at the 2/17 town hall meeting. He said that since Jan. 08 there have been 5 overflows from the sewer system due to the weather. He added that EPA thinks more needs to be done to address this. He also said that even when the Mayor is on vacation they talk daily, sometimes even more.

Chief Juliot (Fire Dept.) was next: he had good news concerning a grant received from Sen. Lugar in the amount of $700,000 to be used to upgrade the communication equipment. This must be shared with other Southern Indiana counties but our share amounts to approx. $180,000.

Mr. Price asked for a public hearing before a vote is to be taken on the sewer rate increase. Mr. Messer said the ordinance needs to be read and a vote taken before Mr. Skomph (from CroweHorwath) can share the details of his meeting with the bondholders and SRL (State Revolving Loans). After the first reading and the first vote, 7 nay no aye, he (Mr. Skomph) shared that the increase was down to 36% now and 19% in 2012. He stressed that immediate action needed to be taken and that he had never seen the government so amiable to an agreement. A meeting was scheduled for March 11 @ 6:00 for the people to express their opinions.

Next were the communications from the public. And of course many people spoke. I will not go into detail but most expressed the same financial problems as those speaking at the town hall meeting. A couple firefighters asked that A-09-22 be passed, not just to save their jobs but for public safety as well.

Finally two resolutions were passed 7-0, R-10-15 a Resolution having to do with L & D Mail Masters, and R-10-06 the Resolution requesting a Forensic Audit. This is being paid for by the Police and Fire Unions.

The fun ended around 9:45. Many people were in small groups in the hall having discussions.

TOWN HALL MEETING 2/17/10 FIRST OF A SERIES

I arrived at the Town Hall meeting about 25 min. late. Mr. Coffey had already done his presentation and he had just opened the meeting for public comments.

And comment they did! Many people expressed great concern over a 70% sewer rate increase. One lady said she would have to close her business after 30 years and move to Jeffersonville. A young woman said she just purchased a home and had to work three jobs just to make ends meet. And there were many similar stories.

There was a lot of interesting information given: in the years 2008 and 2009 there was only $69,738.06 collected in sewer liens, per Vicki Denhart. This seems like a small amount considering the huge amount that is owed. Personally I think the city should go after the business owners who owe thousands instead of just the property owner who may owe much less. But every dollar helps.

Mr. Coffey also asked everyone present to attend the council meeting tomorrow night (2/18) and speak in favor of the forensic audit resolution. There should be a long list of public speakers.

It was also mentioned that the previous audits are available on the indiana.gov website, look under "State Board of Accounts", then "audits" then "Floyd County" and then "New Albany". It may take a minute but it should be worth while.

Pat Harrison said that she had spoken with Rep. Ed Clere this evening and he said that he has found a way to reduce the increase to 35%. She said he did not elaborate so there were no further details. That helps but it's still a big increase.

There is another meeting scheduled for April 6, 2010. I don't know the topic but it is sure to be a lively discussion.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The candidates will be highly visible this weekend.

Chuck Frieberger is hosting a "Meet and Greet" at the Hobart VFW Post on Grantline Rd. Saturday from 1-4. He is running for State Senator to replace Connie Sipes.

Patty Walker is having a Valentine breakfast at Applebee's on Grantline Rd. this Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00. Warm up with hot pancakes and coffee and it's just $5.00, can't beat a deal like that. Patty is running for re-election to the Township Advisory Board.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay warm and safe.

Shirley

BUDGET WOES

I have read the "Tribune" article from February 8th about the 20 firefighters who could lose their jobs. It was very well written, thank you Daniel, but I am still confused.

If the city has 4 Million Dollars a year in unencumbered EDIT funds this year and presumably in previous years, why are we in such trouble?

We don't have the money to fix our sewers, potholes, sidewalks, etc. but we have all of these unencumbered funds?

As Denzil Washington said in the movie "Philadelphia", "Please explain this to me as if I were a five year old".

COUNCIL MEETING 2/1/10

Sorry everyone. I did not make it to the meeting last night. What happened?